Bradley Cooper to Helm ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Prequel, Joining Margot Robbie

Bradley Cooper is in advanced talks to not only star alongside Margot Robbie in the upcoming “Ocean’s Eleven” prequel but also to write and direct the Warner Bros. Film, according to reports from Variety, People and Deadline. This development follows the recent departure of “Twisters” director Lee Isaac Chung from the project, after previously having Jay Roach attached to direct.

A Shift in Direction

Cooper taking the directorial reins is expected to keep the prequel on schedule for a late-2026 shoot. The film will mark Cooper’s fourth feature as a director, following “A Star Is Born,” “Maestro,” and “Is This Thing On?” The project is being produced by Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment.

Setting the Stage for a 1960s Heist

The prequel is set in 1960s Europe and will precede the events of the 2001 “Ocean’s Eleven” starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts. Carrie Solomon penned a draft of the screenplay. The original “Ocean’s 11” debuted in 1960, featuring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and other members of the Rat Pack.

Expanding the Ocean’s Universe

The “Ocean’s” franchise has seen several iterations, including the Steven Soderbergh-directed trilogy (“Ocean’s Twelve” in 2004 and “Ocean’s Thirteen” in 2007) and the 2018 all-female reboot, “Ocean’s Eight,” starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway. George Clooney is also developing a separate “Ocean’s” film featuring the original cast as aging criminals, stating, “There was something about the idea that we’re too vintage to do what we used to do, but we’re still smart enough to know how to get away with something, that just appeals to me.”

LuckyChap’s Growing Slate at Warner Bros.

The “Ocean’s” prequel is one of several projects LuckyChap has in development with Warner Bros., following the success of “Barbie,” which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. Other upcoming projects include a reimagining of “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman” directed by Tim Burton and Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.”